Disaster Response Japan Project #36301

Japan Disaster: Relief & Recovery

by Peace Winds America

Project Report | Jun 24, 2022
Community-Building and Disaster Mitigation

By Sarah Maraschky | Communications Associate

In the wake of Japan’s major flood disasters in recent years–from heavy rains in Hiroshima in 2018 to mudslides in Saga in August 2021–Peace Winds has been working on community-building and disaster preparedness activities in the affected areas. Since November 2021, local residents have had the opportunity to attend various social events and workshops where they can get to know their neighbors and learn about best practices in the event of another natural disaster.

One disaster prevention lecture in May 2021 began with a presentation from the sixth graders at Koyaura Elementary School. They spoke about their experience living in the town of Koyaura, Hiroshima in the wake of the floods in 2018 as well as the community's efforts for reconstruction. A Peace Winds staff member who attended the event has said how brave the children were to speak about the painful experience. They also created a disaster prevention map simulating the event, and our staff members noted that this could be used as a reference for learning about disaster mitigation in other areas.

After the children’s presentation, Professor Murosaki of Kobe University and other professionals held lectures about disaster prevention and mitigation, giving recommendations about what to do in the event of future natural disasters.

At a separate event on May 29, Peace Winds held a “Peace Concert” and a disaster prevention workshop, attended by more than 100 families. The workshop event included booths where attendees could make emergency contact cards and learn how to make ramen noodles with cold water in the event of an emergency–knowledge that is crucial when citizens lose access to hot water or electricity.

Although COVID-19 restrictions in western Japan have been less stringent in recent months, cases are on the rise again, and Peace Winds has had to cancel upcoming events in the town of Saka, Hiroshima prefecture. Originally, Peace Winds had planned to conclude this program on May 31, 2022; however, due to the setbacks caused by increasing COVID cases, the project will continue until July 31 of this year. We look forward to hosting and bringing updates from even more community-focused events in western Japan!

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Feb 24, 2022
Thank You Letters from the Community

By Sarah Maraschky | Communications Associate

Oct 25, 2021
Supporting Flood-Affected Areas in Japan

By Sarah Maraschky | Communications Associate

Delivering relief supplies to a community in Saga

In mid-August, Peace Winds visited Omachi Town and Takeo City, both in Saga Prefecture, which were severely impacted by the floods triggered by torrential rains throughout Japan. These two municipalities were among the areas that were also hit by heavy rains across northern Kyushu two years ago, which also caused mudslides and damage to roads and properties.

The higher rainfall this time caused even greater flooding and damage, and even homes and businesses located on higher ground were affected. Among the properties that were impacted were houses and other properties that were erected to replace buildings devastated by the disaster two years ago. This continues to be a cause of great distress for residents.

Among Peace Winds' humanitarian aid activities is the delivery of emergency supplies to four shelters in Omachi Town and eight shelters in Takeo City. The supplies we are delivering include clothing; beverages and foodstuffs, including for babies and infants; sanitary gels and other sanitary products; lamps; towels (supplied by IKEA); electric fans; pillows; insect repellents and insect bite treatments (a must-have item in shelters where windows are kept open as a COVID-19 countermeasure). Additionally, we provide free taxi vouchers for disaster victims in Omachi Town.

Meanwhile, in late August, our “ARROWS” airborne search and rescue squad dispatched a team to several parts of Hiroshima Prefecture that were also affected by the August floods.

We are continuing our investigations into each locality that was impacted by the disasters. At the same time, we continue to visit volunteer centers and social welfare organizations to deliver supplies for disaster-affected residents, including drinks, hygiene kits, care products such as shampoos, and towels.

We will continue our efforts to support those in the disaster zone with the aim of getting things back to normal as quickly as possible.

We kindly ask for your continued support in this mission, and send our sincerest thanks for your assistance so far!

Disaster management meeting in Saga

Investigating the disaster area in Hiroshima

Road damaged by torrential rains

Delivering supplies to an affected community

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